Rio Grande do Norte State Information

Rio Grande do Norte was first colonized by the French during the 16th Century, but it did not take long for the Portuguese and the Dutch to start fighting over the territory. After that, and under Dutch rule, the settling of the State of Rio Grande do Norte truly began in 1633. Its economic activities began with the exploration of salt, sugar cane and cattle-raising and the result of all this is reflected until today, when the State is responsible for 87% of all marine salt production in the country.

The State of Rio Grande do Norte is a privileged region, with the sun shining all year long. It is privileged not only for its natural beauty, with its beautiful beaches and dunes spread over the more than 400 km of coastline, but also for having the purest air in Latin America. This was verified by the North American Space Agency (NASA), and by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) from the results of a research concluded in 1992.

The implementation of the Coastal Highway, a 8 km long avenue along the shore, was the true starting point for the beginning of tourist activity in the State in the 1980s. That is where the main hotels and restaurants of the capital city, Natal, are concentrated. Improvements in tourist infrastructure and conservation of the natural heritage are some of the actions given priority ever since by the state government. One of the highlights was the creation of the Dune State Park, which aims to preserve the chain of sand dunes that surround the city. And thus, Natal became the entry gate to the beautiful beaches of the State of Rio Grande do Norte. Many of them are still semi-wild, such as Pipa and Pirangi; and others are the liveliest, such as Genipabu and Tibau do Sul.

The State of Rio Grande do Norte also stands out with oil production, with an average extraction of 100 thousand barrels per day, occupying second place in the country, only behind the township of Campos, in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

A little further from the coast, the city of Mossoró is considered the capital of irrigated fruit-growing, supplying more than 70% of the domestic market for melon. Besides that fruit, the State is famous for its mango and cashew plantations. The latter led the State to be entered in the Guinness Book of Records. Located on the Pirangi do Norte beach, the largest cashew tree in the world with 500 meters in circumference and 92 years of age, covers a 7.300 m2 area. Its crown is equivalent to a grove of 70 cashew trees.

Pirangi do Norte is also the centre for the handcraft production of bilro and labyrinth lace. The lace makers patiently and quickly weave the fine cotton yarns until tablecloths, bedspreads and clothes of all kinds emerge. Besides all that, the Barreira do Inferno is also located here, which was the first rocket launching base in Latin America.

On the north coast of Rio Grande do Norte beach locations such as Maracajau and Sao Miguel do Gostoso are receiving much interest with beach land prices being relatively cheap along with several off plan investment properties on offer in these regions of Brazil's North East.

Warm waters, the shade of palm trees and a gigantic cashew tree are waiting for you in Rio Grande do Norte.